Boeing and Saab have begun work on developing a new-advanced jet trainer to compete for a pending T-X requirement to replace the US Air Force's venerable Northrop T-38 Talons. Under their joint development agreement - which was announced on 6 December, several months after rumours of a pact had surfaced - Boeing is to act as prime contractor and Saab as primary partner. The collaboration will cover design, development, production, support, sales and marketing activities, they say. "The trainer solution from Boeing and Saab and other potential team members will be a new aircraft, built to meet the needs of the USAF," the partners say, with the Swedish firm stressing that it is not proposing a derivative of its Gripen fighter. likely to be among the air force's largest acquisition programmes in the coming decade, the strategy for T-X is still evolving. The service has previously released proposed requirements for an off-the-shelf aircraft, with the makers of the Alenia Aermacchi M-346, BAE Systems Hawk T2 and Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin T-50 expressing interest.
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